By Johnson Kanyesige
The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has raised a red flag over the continued large scale destruction of Bugoma forest reserve located in Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub counties in Kikuube district.
According to Mr. Aldon Walukamba, the spokesperson of the Authority, the systematic illegality of destroying the forest allegedly sponsored by big people in government has kept ongoing with activities like charcoal burning, maize and sugar cane plantations, thriving uninterrupted under the watchful eye of armed individuals.
Walukamba says what is being observed currently inside the forest is regretful something that will cost Ugandans and ecosystems that include rivers, lakes swamps will likely dry up adding that people who are destroying the forest front Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to carry out their illegalities.
The spokesperson of NFA further discloses that some of the locals and refugees are being used by the big people behind the destruction of the forest where they are systematically employed at different stages of destruction.
The destruction according to him starts with individuals employed to clear the forest, then plough the land and later those who do the planting among others before they are all kicked out and a new team recruited in the continuous cycle of destruction.
He now wants cabinet in its full authority to swiftly intervene and stop the continued destruction of Bugoma forest.
He says they have already embarked on collaborative forest management activities where locals are empowered to have income generating activities instead of cutting down trees.
NFA is worried that the forest might be no more if the key stakeholders do not change their attitude because a historical damage has been inflicted on Bugoma central forest reserve despite struggles to save it.
